Vera Mildred Bennett

Vera Mildred Kinnemann Bennett’s journey on earth ended on February 6, 2015 at the Masonic Health Care Facilities, Bettendorf. She was the last surviving child born to Otto and Emma (Westphal) Kinnemann. Vera was born September 1, 1916, the 6th of 10 children. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM at St. Mark Lutheran Church on Monday, February 16, 2015. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Following her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.

Lost with Vera’s death are many stories we will never know about what it was like to be a teen-ager and young adult in Davenport in the 1920’s and 30’s. As west-ender most of her life, favorite “hang-outs” with girlfriends were Schuetzen Park, Credit Island and the roller rink on Rockingham Road which no longer exists. Her first job was at the Independent Baking Company, Davenport, trimming the edges of wafers and icing them. She then worked at M.L.Parker Company, Davenport, selling handkerchiefs and neckwear. Vera attended Davenport schools through the 11th grade. She was very proud of earning her GED in 1967.

She married Robert (Bob) John Bennett on November 27, 1941 in Davenport and shortly thereafter she, like many young women, saw her husband leave to serve in WWII. She kept a scrapbook that captured news about her husband as well as her three brothers and a sister who also served in the armed forces during the war. While Bob was stationed in Lucerna City in the Philippines, he befriended an English speaking Pilipino family. A teenage daughter of that family, Paz Marquez, initiated the first correspondence to “Mama Vera” and “Papa Bob” after the war; that friendship continues today between “Mama Vera” and Paz’ daughter, Susan Marquez, of Dandenong, N. Victoria, Australia.

Another continuing friendship for Vera developed when she and Bob became caretakers of the Hill ‘N Dale Farm in Barrington, IL for the Richard Duchossois family. Vera cherished her memories of watching the mares with their foals, feeding the cats in the horse barn, and meeting guests of the family. She was delighted when guest Arnold Palmer asked her for another piece of the chocolate cake (a recipe Vera later named Arnold Palmer Cake) during his visit to the farm while competing in the 75th US Open in 1975.

Vera had a rich network of friends that developed over her lifetime; especially at St. Mark Lutheran Church where she was an active member for nearly 80 years and loved to participate in choir, bell choir and Peace Circle. Her group of friends continued to grow when she moved to the Clarissa C. Cook Retirement Home and later Petersen Commons Assisted Living when the Clarissa C. Cook Home was closed. For the last two years, her final residence being the Iowa Masonic Health Facilities.

Vera loved animals, especially cats. She enjoyed reading, crewel embroidery and counted cross-stitch. She even tried her hand at basket weaving, making corn husk dolls, decorating eggs in the Ukrainian (pysanka) tradition, and Scherenschnitte (German) paper cutting. During the warm weather months you would find her outside tending to her iris and rose plants and flower pots filled with Gerber daisies.

She is survived by her nieces -Wendy Peterson (Terry), Davenport, IA; D‘ Ann Schamay, Port Orange, FL ; Sandi Harris (Brent), Napa, CA; Linda Litt (Richard), Traverse City, MI ; Sue Galatte, Buffalo Grove, IL; Kris Phelps (Pete), Westmont, IL; Joan Bagwell, Maquoketa, IA ; Karen Shapley (Gary), Bettendorf; Nancy Powell (Tommy), Red Rock, OK; and nephews-Bill Ziebarth (Norma), DeLand, FL ; Marc Kinnemann (Mary Pat), Rockford, IL; Jack Kinnemann (Cynthia), Kent, WA; Jeff Kinnemann (Deb), Bettendorf; Daniel Nagle, Pickerington, OH; sister-in-law, Genevieve (John) Kinnemann, Davenport. She has 26 great nieces and nephews, 40 great-great nieces and nephews and 1 great-great-great nephew.

She is proceeded in death by her parents; husband; sisters - Dorothy Ziebarth, Margaret Kinnemann, Mable Armstrong Cramer, Irene Nagle; brothers – Herbert, Oliver, Otto, John, Kenny; and niece, Margaret (Nagle)Tindall.

Vera requested that memorials in her name be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church, Humane Society of Scott County, or the Iowa Masonic Health Facilities. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.

Vera was indeed a very special lady in the lives of many. The memories we have will last a lifetime. Take time today to enjoy a piece of chocolate in her honor.